One Day in Mai Khao

Welcome to Mai Khao, Phuket!

 

As you're reading this, you're most likely have some free time in Mai Khao area and you're wondering what to do. Mai Khao, compared to other busier areas in Phuket, seems rather quiet with nothing much to do. But if you look closer, or if you're looking for places or activities that are not appealing for the mass tourist market, then this area has quite a number of interesting activities for visitors. If you have one free day, we can organize a trip program for you.

Our aim: Focus on Mai Khao area only. Program designed to support local community.

There are 2 options: one for full day with an afternoon break, and one for half day without break.

 

Program A: Full Day (with afternoon break) 

 

9:30      Pick up at hotel or any in Mai Khao

10:00    Choose Between:

(a) Airplane watching at Phuket International Airport, or

(b) Mai Khao Temple & Baan Mai Khao school

Airplane watching at Phuket International Airport, Mai Khao beach

Airplane watching is easily "the" most popular activity in Mai Khao, and why not? Apart from the beautiful beach especially during sunset, you get to see the flying plane so close when it lands that you feel you might be able to touch it. It's a magnificent sight and Mai Khao beach in front of the international airport is the only place in Thailand you can also "catch" a plane with your bare hand. 

 

However, it's not so easy to capture the right moment of the plane. It involves skills and also wind direction, time of day, weather, etc. Learn more about how to take good photos with airplanes, click here

We'll take you to the airplane view point first thing in the morning to avoid the heat of the sun. And usually there are more flight frequencies during 9:00-11:00 but these are subjected to change. By going there, you would support the local "tuk-tuk" driver and also the vendors as our price includes a drink or ice cream for you. 

Mai Khao Temple

 

There's no visit to Thailand that's complete without visiting a temple. Mai Khao temple is the main temple in the area and it's not like an ordinary temple. It has a secret weapon, a mangrove forest with several species of birds plus a meditation santuary in the middle of the lake. All these create a peaceful and wondersul scene. And it offers what all the temples should do, a peaceful moment. A brief time spent with oneself in this sceneary will be so much rewarding.

 

Baan Mai Khao School

This is the only primary school in the area. Why we include this in the program? Two reasons. One, seeing the students in the classroom, or taking a nap between classes, or having lunch in Thai way, could either bring back one's childhood memory, or be amazing in foreigners' eyes when seeing how students are taught to behave under Thai school's rules, or both.

(Note: During low season when planes land in opposite direction, switch program to visit Mai Khao temple+Baan Mai Khao school, or clients may choose plan b at any season)

11:00    Buffalo Hub: Have fun with watching and feeding buffalos

Buffalo Hub in Mai Khao, Phuket

Buffalo is unique in countries that grow rice. Even though Phuket is not a province that grows rice (the land is too expensive for that!) but the local community feels the need to create a home for buffalos so younger generation and foreigners would learn something about it. For Thai people, buffalo has special place in our hearts because we eat rice all our lives and it's only possible to have rice because of buffalos.

Buffalo hub is our second stop. You would see buffalos moving freely in the area. You might also like to feed them or even take shower for them.

 

11:30    Baan Ar-Jor museum visit + Lunch at Toh Daeng 

Baan Ar-Jor in Mai Khao, Phuket

Here's one of the highlights of the program. Baan Ar-Jor, an old mansion built since 1936, is one of the most popular stops for visitors in Mai Khao. It's a museum, a boutique hotel, a Thai restaurant that recently earned Michelin (Bib Gourmand) in 2022.

Toh Daeng at Baan Ar-Jor, Michelin (Bib Gourmand) 2022

We have roughly 2 to 2.5 hours at Baan Ar-Jor for museum visit and lunch. The menu at Toh Daeng is extensive, from real local ions, creative menus, to Phuket lobster, a must-eat once you're in Phuket. Like the goal of our trip program, this restaurant supports local community. Nearly all ingredients are from Mai Khao. Don't miss Mai Khao specialy menus such as deep fried mole crabs, and "Goose's tongue" vegetable!

 

Phuket Lobster by Toh Daeng at Baan Ar-Jor, Michelin (Bib Gourmand) 2022

More details on Baan Ar-Jor, click here

14:00    Back to hotel + relax

We're aware that the weather in Phuket is hot, or wet. And what's better to do after lunch than to have a nap? We'll let you relax, nap, or change clothes to get ready for the rest of program.

 

16:00    Pick up at hotel

 

16:15    Mole crab catching at Mai Khao beach

Mole crab catching at Mai Khao, Phuket

Have you tasted deep fried mole crab during lunch? Whether yes or no, we'll take you to see how the fisherman catch them on the beach. You might want to join the fun but be prepared to get wet! And in case you have doubt, the fishermen are surely from Mai Khao. Toh Daeng restaurant at Baan Ar-Jor has been supporting by purchasing mole crabs from them. The more popular the menu, the more these villagers would earn. Do you feel like going back to order some more mole crabs?

 

17:00    Choose between

(a) Sarasin bridge walk + Sunset cruise by Morgan villagers, or

(b) Horse riding at pine trees tunnel

 

Sarasin bridge walk

Sarasin bridge, Phuket

Sarasin bridge is the only way that links Phuket as an island to the main land at Phang Nga province. But it's more than that. Few decades ago, there's a true love story, in fact a tragedy, that a young couple decided to end their lives by jumping from the bridge due to unfulfilled love. The story turned to a very popular movie and this bridge is forever attached to this sad story.

A few things you would benefit by visiting there. It's important in terms of logistic. It's beautiful with the sino-portuguese design, similar to those houses in the old town. And it's a great spot to watch sunset though we have an alternative for you on that (optional).

 

Sunset cruise by Morgan villagers

Sunset cruise by Morgan villagers in Mai Khao, Phuket

The morgan villagers are minority living in some parts of Phuket. A group of them moved to settle down at Mai Khao near Sarasin bridge after Tsunami in 2004. Here, they earn living as fishermen, and also arrange a boat trip to a beautiful clean beach nearby it's not accesible by car. Also, the boat goes under Sarasin bridge so you'll see the bridge in a different perspective. And it's extra beautiful when you cruise during sunset time. No need to say that by taking this program, you contribute to their earnings.

 

Horse riding at pine trees tunnel

Horse riding at pine trees tunnel in Mai Khao

Despite how wonderful the visit to Sarasin bridge and the sunset cruise are, we believe in offering choices and here is one interesting activity that you might consider. There's a pine tree area by the beach that is peaceful to have a quiet walk. But you have an option to ride a horse along the pine tree tunnel too. There's Phuket Horse Riding Club near the palm tree area. You could spend an hour or so riding horse along the beach. Wouldn't it be nice?

 

19:00    Dinner at Toh Daeng or other in Mai Khao area

We'll conclude the day with a nice meal and you have choices to go back to Toh Daeng at Baan Ar-Jor or other restaurants in the area. 

21:00    Back to hotel. End of program

 

Program B: Half Day

12:00    Pick up at hotel or any in Mai Khao

12:15    Lunch at Toh Daeng (Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022) +Baan Ar-Jor museum visit

14:00    Airplane watching at Phuket International Airport (with complimentary drink or ice cream)

(Note: During low season when planes land in opposite direction, switch program to visit Baan Mai Khao school, or clients may choose to visit school at any season)

15:00    Buffalo hub

16:15    Mole crab catching at Mai Khao beach

17:00    Choose between

(a) Sarasin bridge walk + Sunset cruise by Morgan villagers, or

(b) Horse riding at pine trees tunnel

 

19:00    Dinner at Toh Daeng (Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022) or other in Mai Khao area

21:00    Back to hotel. End of program

 

Price per group (Thai Baht) (VAT not included) (+1,500 THB for sunset cruise)

1-4 persons : High Season 7,500 / Low Season 6,500

5-6 persons : High Season 8,500 / Low Season 7,500

7-8 persons : High Season 9,000 / Low Season 8,000

High Season = 1 December - 30 April

Low Season = 1 May - 30 November

 

Price includes:

• Car & driver for visit program and pickups in Mai Khao area
• Drink or ice cream during airplane watching & tuk-tuk fee
• Mole crab & buffalo activities
• 1 bottle of water per person

Conditions:

• Lunch at Baan Ar-Jor
• Program ends with customers arriving hotel or starting point by 21:00

Note 1: Times indicated in program are estimates

Note 2: +1,500 THB for sunset cruise

Note 3: Price may change according to oil price

Note 4:  For horse riding, to pay directly to Phuket Riding Club

• 1 hour = 1,200 Baht per person
• 1.5 hours = 1,700 Baht per person

 

Reservation:

• Deposit 50% at least 2 days in advance
• Full refund for cancellation at least 36 hours in advance
• 50% refund for cancellation at least 12-36 hours in advance
• No refund for cancellation less than hours in advance

 

Our Driver

Our driver: khun May

 

As we are strict in our concept, your driver/guide, khun May, is also from Mai Khao. She may not be a top choice as tour guide but we want a local person and she is polite, service-minded, and she's a familiar face in the neighborhood. 

 

Contact us: 

 

 Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/lgphuket

Line: @letsgo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoaVYrlLVxTJEAM00qv5yJg

Concierge at hotel of your stay